On health-care reform, money talks, bull-oney walks
The passage of health-care reform marks the transition of the United States from a capitalist to a socialist economy, and is destined to hasten the financial collapse of this once proud and great nation.
Or so the rhetoric on the right would describe it. It is “Armageddon” and will “ruin our country,” as House Minority Leader John Boehner has claimed.
Yet as we all know, talk is cheap. What is the verdict of those with real skin in the game, those who have invested vast amounts of money in the previously capitalistic system and are about to see those fortunes, along with economic liberty, snatched away from them by government? These are the people most sensitive to change, the students of the game who will suddenly shift billions of dollars from one place to another in response to the slightest hint of change in the economic winds.
How have they responded to the onslaught of Armageddon and the abandonment of capitalist principles?
Yawn.
Last Friday, the Dow closed at 10,741. Health-insurance reform became political reality over the weekend, and yesterday the the Dow closed at 10,837, a gain of almost 100 points. The Wall Street Journal reports that stock futures are up this morning as well.
In fact, the Dow charts tell an interesting tale. On Jan. 20, the day we all woke up to find that Scott Brown had won the special election in Massachusetts and that health-insurance reform was seemingly doomed, the Dow began an 800-point decline. It began to recover in early February, about the time that the Obama administration renewed its push for reform, and since then it has risen almost 1,000 points.
I’m not for a minute linking that rise to the improved prospects for health reform. An awful lot of things have been going in the global economy, and it would be foolish to attribute a 10 percent market rise to what is in truth one relatively minor factor among many.
Instead, it is enough to point out that those with fortunes on the line, those trained to be exquisitely sensitive to economic trends, apparently believe that the foundations of American capitalism and finance remain solid.
Money talks, bull-oney walks.
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240 comments Add your comment
Normal
March 26th, 2010
8:53 am
Jay,
A while back I asked you if a health care bill was a good thing. You said yes, not perfect, but a good first step, i think.
Do you still feel that way?
Call it like it is.
March 26th, 2010
8:55 am
Jay’s blogs………….Yawn
Jay
March 26th, 2010
8:56 am
Hi all:
On that previous post, I deleted what I thought was an early draft of the Gingrich piece that I started here at home and later finished at the office. I didn’t realize that deleting the early draft would delete the final piece as well.
My apologies once again. We will endeavor to persevere.
Oscar M. Ayers
March 26th, 2010
8:57 am
You mock me.
USinUK
March 26th, 2010
8:57 am
meh – it’s the same bag o’ tricks they use on everything … “if the Dems win the house, Wall Street will collapse! if the Dems win the White House, Wall Street will collapse!”
blahblahlbha … the party of no ideas strikes again …
Jay
March 26th, 2010
8:57 am
Yes Normal, I do.
TaxPayer
March 26th, 2010
8:59 am
We will endeavor to
perseverepreserve.There. Fixed that for ya.
Normal
March 26th, 2010
8:59 am
Thanks, Jay.
Mick
March 26th, 2010
9:02 am
Healthcare and socialism are not strange bedfellows and thats the problem, trying to get one withouth the other. Perception is reality and this fight has left all exhausted. Let’s move on to bank reform and jobs, jobs, jobs..
Lord Help Us
March 26th, 2010
9:03 am
…and so goes another round of extremist rhetoric…with no consequences for those that have shamelessly trumpeted, ‘armageddon,’ ‘government takeover of healthcare,’ ‘death panels,’ etc.
The sheep that listen to the purveyors of that nonsense apparently expect no better, and will wait obediently for their next set of talking points to parrot, embellish and echo (ditto’s, I guess).
If their followers expect no better, the GOP will continue its self-inflected marginalization.
Bosch
March 26th, 2010
9:05 am
USinUK,
And if Democrats win – dogs and cats will start living together!!! OH NOOOOOSSSS!!!
Bosch
March 26th, 2010
9:06 am
Jay,
You need to get on the ball with these new threads, I was forced to comment over at Tucker’s blog just cause – well, I gotta post.
Normal
March 26th, 2010
9:07 am
Bosch,
“well, I gotta post.”
I think they have a 12 step program for that….
Bosch
March 26th, 2010
9:08 am
Normal,
Eh, 12 step programs are for babies.
FinnMcCool
March 26th, 2010
9:08 am
US, link:
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/26/opinion/26iht-edcohen.html
TaxPayer
March 26th, 2010
9:08 am
Tea Party Advocates Who Scorn Socialism Want a Government Job
Normal
March 26th, 2010
9:08 am
Mick
March 26th, 2010
9:02 am
Well said, Mick.
AmVet
March 26th, 2010
9:09 am
I was gonna wait until this evening to bring this one out. (I’ll likely reprise it then.)
For The Party of Doom…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d2FT4FprxDg
Outhouse GoKart
March 26th, 2010
9:09 am
Could be…then again economies are cyclical…spend, spend, spend, pay, pay, pay, Sherla/berla, etc. Not much difference at this point as whats done is done and anyway the market keeps making me MO MONEY, MO MONEY, MO MONEY!!!
Dividend checks arrive next week…How sweet it is!!
Outhouse GoKart
March 26th, 2010
9:10 am
Remember one thing Bosch.
“Rehab is for Quitters”.
Bosch
March 26th, 2010
9:12 am
AmVet,
I miss Doom, but for some reason I think he’s still here.
Citizen of the World
March 26th, 2010
9:14 am
The Republican’s insistence that “it’s the end of the world as we know it” is just a way to rally its base and scare them into being more patriotic, jingoistic, defensive and aggressive. They’ve always known what recent scientific studies have shown — that some people are more physiologically highly responsive to threat (scary cats) and that tendency is a pretty reliable predictor of political persuasion.
What’s ironic is that they are more than willing to spend gazillions of dollars to “keep us safe” and “save lives” under threat from outside enemies but want to pinch pennies when it comes to health care reform. Don’t they realize that there are more ways beside wars and arms build-ups to keep us safe and save lives?
Bosch
March 26th, 2010
9:15 am
Ok, Blog God – sorry for the r-word.
Outhouse,
For real. I wonder if Sandra Bullock’s husband is gonna go into “Oh SH*T I’m so busted so I gotta go into rehab for something” rehab. I think going into rehab claiming to be addicted to sex is just plain rid-ik-u-lous. I mean, hell, aren’t we all?
Scout
March 26th, 2010
9:16 am
Frog in the kettle, Jay ………….. frog in the kettle.
jt
March 26th, 2010
9:16 am
Obligatory Factual Nag-
Fidel Castro had to seek medical help outside of his progressive utopia.
Basically had to get his butt rebuilt a few years ago.
Just saying.
FinnMcCool
March 26th, 2010
9:17 am
Citizen is quite right, the Republicans can easily get their followers on the same page and into a group tizzy. Democrats can’t pull it off as easily.
More critical thinkers on the left than on the right.
Mick
March 26th, 2010
9:17 am
Normal – thanks
Outhouse – The party starts a 3pm today, I think I just might buy a book..
NowReally
March 26th, 2010
9:17 am
Yeah, blogs are definitely addictive. I’m on a read “blogs” only day and will not post again.
jt
March 26th, 2010
9:17 am
Where would Obama go?
Bosch
March 26th, 2010
9:18 am
Citizens of the World,
“is just a way to rally its base and scare them into being more patriotic, jingoistic, defensive and aggressive. They’ve always known what recent scientific studies have shown — that some people are more physiologically highly responsive to threat (scary cats) and that tendency is a pretty reliable predictor of political persuasion. ”
That reminded me of this snippet from Bowling from Columbine – I think there is alot of truth to this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zqh6Ap9ldTs
And I think the tendency to be scared also has alot to do with a person’s religious perspective.
mike
March 26th, 2010
9:19 am
Yeah, those Wall Street types never fall for a flawed model. Take Enron for example. Wall Street did not buy the mathematical spin job so they did not drive Enron’s stock price into the stratosphere. Respected financial journals did not speak of Enron’s vast upside. Enron was also not proven to be a house of cards and it did not go bankrupt.
Bosch
March 26th, 2010
9:20 am
NowReally,
Isn’t that like an alcoholic saying, “I’m only gonna drink beer today.”
Doggone/GA
March 26th, 2010
9:20 am
I’m just waiting to see how long it takes the Congressional Republicans to start taking credit for passing the healthcare legislation.
FinnMcCool
March 26th, 2010
9:20 am
Citizen I think you are mis-reading the Republicans on wanting to keep us safe militarily. They want to keep themselves safe militarily so they are willing to spend on wars and security. They don’t give a rats patootee about anyone else.
Likewise, they already have health insurance so they don’t want to spend any money on that. They don’t give a rats patootee about anyone else.
Peadawg
March 26th, 2010
9:21 am
I still don’t understand why y’all insist on calling this bill “reform”. It doesn’t do anything to lower premiums. Obama lied and insurance still went up! Hope everyone enjoys their insurance premiums this time next year!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Bosch
March 26th, 2010
9:21 am
Frog in the kettle? Is that like Skip to my loo?
md
March 26th, 2010
9:22 am
Jay is correct, the hc bill/program is but one piece to the puzzle. But, that puzzle currently has a 14 trillion dollar debt, which is rising. CBO projects roughly 1 trillion deficits for each of the next 10 years:
http://www.cbo.gov/
Historical data on every other “entitlement” program indicates there is a very good chance the cbo numbers will be too low. Projections also show SS and medicaid/care in trouble ( but don’t worry, they are just pieces also)
At 24 trillion in 2010 (odds have it higher), I ask those on here – where is the point of no return?
Individuals have credit limits, and tend to go bankrupt if not maintained, while our misfits just raise the limit with a wave of their magic wand. And this isn’t about “sides”, both sides played the game that got us here, the question is what is going to be done about it.
What many don’t seem to grasp, as a “piece” of the puzzle, if the puzzle collapses, so does hc. Then the 20/30 million uninsured will seem paultry in comparison.
I Report (-: You Whine )-: Impeach Drunken Fool obozo! Just sayin....
March 26th, 2010
9:22 am
Yeah, this coming from the same people who said at this time last year, the stock market was not a good indicator of economic health, hahaha, aahhh, the winds, they do blow in the changes-
So, in two days, we have two major companies — major American employers — who between the two of them will have a quarter billion dollars less with which to pay employees, invest in new plant and equipment, spend on advertising and marketing, pay dividends to shareholders, and broadly contribute to the American economy.
um, you know what I mean?
Times that by a thousand and you are getting close.
The largest tax increase in history, regardless of what the socialists and their media stooges want you to believe.
Normal
March 26th, 2010
9:22 am
Doggone/GA
March 26th, 2010
9:20 am
I’m just waiting to see how long it takes the Congressional Republicans to start taking credit for passing the healthcare legislation.
Just as soon as they get back to their home State…
Whacks Eloquent
March 26th, 2010
9:23 am
or like “Cat’s in the Cradle”?
TaxPayer
March 26th, 2010
9:24 am
JPMorgan, Lehman, UBS Named as Conspirators in Muni Bid-Rigging .
It looks like the threads of socialism run pretty deep throughout capitalism, American-style. I think they call it corporatism though… with a smathering of fascism thrown in for good measure. And the best place to hide it is in plain sight, right. Ooh look, a duckey. And if that doesn’t work, put the likes of a Glenn Beck to work, pointing that little finger in every direction except in the proper direction — inward. All is done for the good of the Corporation.
Doggone/GA
March 26th, 2010
9:25 am
“Just as soon as they get back to their home State…”
Sounds about right to me!
md
March 26th, 2010
9:26 am
should be 24 in 2020
Soothsayer
March 26th, 2010
9:27 am
Good morning all. As important as health-care reform is, I wanted to share an article that I ran across a week or so back. When I read it I was startled by this paragraph: [T]he IEA estimates that output from existing fields will drop by almost two-thirds by 2030. The world is counting on oil from BP’s deep-water wells, from Canada’s oil sands, from Venezuela’s tough-to-refine heavy oil deposits, and from new finds and increased production from fields in high-cost environments such as Siberia and the offshore Arctic.
In case you missed it. let me spell it out again [T]he IEA estimates that output from existing fields will drop by almost two-thirds by 2030. By the way 2030 is just 20 years from now.
I wonder how many of you can conceive what life would be like in the United States and the World with only 1/3 of the oil we have today?
Many (if not all) countries who now export oil will cease exports to keep their oil in reserve for their own countries.
Full-sized SUVs and pickup trucks will likely become museum pieces and in fact many will be living in them. All or very nearly all fossil fuel vehicles will likely become obsolete.
Electric cars are currently not an alternative unless a new battery can be developed. This is because there is not enough Lithium to make batteries for all the cars that need them.
As the price of oil becomes prohibitive and people switch to compressed natural gas, the price of natural gas will skyrocket making it astronomically expensive to heat your home.
Many of the foods we enjoy in our supermarkets will no longer be affordable because of the cost of shipping from places like California, Mexico and Florida. Indeed, the price of fertilizer will skyrocket pushing the price of “store-bought” food out of reach of many.
Manufacturing will return to the U.S. as the cost of shipping will far outweigh the cost savings of labor arbitrage. In fact corporations will have to locate manufacturing near metropolitan areas. That is smaller plants near each major market.
Conflicts will break out over the last remaining “supergiant” reserve, the Caspian Sea.
Many of us wrongly assume that oil is our birthright and that it will never run out. This is a fallacy. “When you are thirsty, it’s too late to dig a well.” Surely, our mainstream media wants to lull us into a sense of complacency. Instead we need to be using what remains of fossil fuels producing a new, sustainable energy for the United States and the World.
The only energy source with the remotest possbility of replacing fossil fuels is solar.
Outhouse GoKart
March 26th, 2010
9:27 am
Ya…hopefully Jesse J doesnt claim that “I need help” whiney mantra.
I think Tiger just did it because his wife probably insisted.
Bosch
March 26th, 2010
9:28 am
Peadawg,
Some of us aren’t under the delusion that this bill will lower premiums — it is more insurance reform than health care reform, but if I had my way, health insurance companies would go the same route as vinyl records and 8-tracks.
mike,
After our discussion last night about insurance companies – I thought about what I wrote, and I don’t think all insurance companies are outdated, one in particular I’m quite fond of right now is home owners insurance. If we could save enough to replace our homes, then I don’t see a need for it, but few people can do that – but it’s a tangible object that you know how much you will need in order to replace it. With your health – you are at the mercy of circumstance and unlike home owners insurance, which you may or may not need – everyone will get sick eventually and need some kind of medical attention. So, again, I see no point in continuing to pay for something when it has absolutely nothing to do with caring for the sick – health insurance companies do nothing to care for the sick and I think should be phased out because they are responsible for a huge amount of the cost of health care.
Anywho……just another reflection of the day.
Citizen of the World
March 26th, 2010
9:29 am
Peadawg, premiums were going to go up no matter what. That has been pretty much a given. At least this way, more people will have coverage. Don’t you want your friends, neighbors and family members to be able to have health insurance?
Outhouse GoKart
March 26th, 2010
9:29 am
Perhaps all our blog “Corp Haters” if employed by “Corps” should resign their positions immediately. No? See how that works out for ya!
Bosch
March 26th, 2010
9:31 am
Outhouse,
I think Tiger did it because his wife was gonna beat the hell out of him, and it’s like a temporary safehouse.
Peadawg
March 26th, 2010
9:31 am
Citizen of the World, then why did Obama and Skeletor lie to the American people? They kept saying premiums will go down. They’ll go up even higher under this bill. I just wish more people realized this.
USinUK
March 26th, 2010
9:32 am
Finn –
thanks for the link (didn’t think to look in the opinion section!) … the sad thing is that I have more of a chance of winning the Nobel Prize for Baking before Lib Dems EVER win a majority in Parliament …
what they’re downplaying right now is the opportunity they’re facing to be kingmakers (which is the right way to play it) – I can’t see them joining a coalition with Labour, but I REALLY can’t see them joining a coalition with the Tories unless they receive promises about benefits …
If I had a vote, the Tories would probably get it, even though I think Cameron is a bit on the weasely side … he’s still a helluva lot better than the Worst Chancellor Ever that Brown was …
jconservative
March 26th, 2010
9:32 am
Interesting exercise Mr Goodman.
My thought on the growth of the American socialist economy is how can awarding a potential 30 million customers to private enterprise increase socialism?
The safest investment for the long term today is health care insurance companies.
We have been a socialist society for over 75 years now. Roosevelt started it and it has been continued and expanded by the likes of Johnson, Nixon, Reagan, Bush 43 and now Obama. Please notice that there are 3 Democrats & 3 Republicans listed as primary movers; this has been a bi-partisan effort.
Bismarck must be a happy soul, virtually the entire world is socialist to some degree.
Bosch
March 26th, 2010
9:33 am
Whacks,
Or the cow jumped over the moon?
Janitor
March 26th, 2010
9:33 am
VERNON, Vt. — Officials at Vermont’s only nuclear power plant say they’ve stopped a leak of a radioactive substance and are starting to clean up the groundwater.
The Vermont Yankee tritium leak reported Jan. 7 was from two pipes in a concrete tunnel. Water carrying tritium seeped into soil and groundwater because of a clogged drain.
It’s all cleaned up now. It was just a little spill.
Doggone/GA
March 26th, 2010
9:34 am
“Peadawg, premiums were going to go up no matter what”
He knows that. He’s been told hundreds of times, if not thousands. Goes in one ear and out the other, after all…if he paid attention to it he’d lose his only talking point on the subject.
Outhouse GoKart
March 26th, 2010
9:35 am
With a golf club no less…LOL.
Paul
March 26th, 2010
9:35 am
Jay
Are you asking us to recreate all the posts that were deleted, ’cause you know we’d sure like to help you out!
[[It is “Armageddon” and will “ruin our country,”]]
Didn’t both sides say essentially the same thing about our current system, if allowed to continue with no reforms?
Lord Help Us
[[and so goes another round of extremist rhetoric…with no consequences for those that have shamelessly trumpeted]]
One can also say the same thing for those posting during Pres Bush’s terms – all the extremist rhetoric about subverting freedom, imposing a fascist state, and on and on and on and on…. No consequences there, either. Just flowery rhetoric from impassioned protestors.
———————————————————
Lot of discussion yesterday about “this is the first time gov’t required us to……” or “this is the first time our freedom has been….” and then we went around with examples.
Upon further reflection, I have to answer all those objections with “So?” Or maybe “Not in concept, it isn’t” would be nicer.
We’ve had plenty of examples of what some will see as limits on their freedom. Are they? Depends on how you look at it. The People, through the government, has told us what we cannot do with our property. No dumping of toxic substances. No discharge of raw sewage. All limits on property rights. Gov’t forced us to buy safety equipment for our vehicles. Seat belts. Air bags. People bought it, even though they never used it. Examples go on and on.
So if the argument is, this is the first time the gov’t has required me to buy an insurance policy (which is about the only counter example available) I have to say “So?” or “yeah, it is. Somethings gotta be first in that category. No different than making you buy a low-flow toilet instead of the Flush-o-Matic Blaster 500XL that uses 27 gallons per flush that you really, really wanted.”
————————————
More things I don’t like about the health care reforms:
Stopping of denial for preexisting conditions doesn’t begin for months. Just had a baby born locally, the blood vessels carrying blood to and from the heart/lungs were reversed. Baby’s newborn. Parents had two kids with insurance, parents didn’t have on themselves (cost issue) and Blue Cross Blue Shield refused coverage for the days-old baby because he had a pre-existing condition.
Next thing is, the fine for no coverage is a joke. It’s like a parent telling a teen “if you bust curfew, you’ll be grounded for a whole ten minutes!!!!
If you’re going to have a penalty, make it count.
jewcowboy
March 26th, 2010
9:35 am
I see WellPoint is up $.09 today to $63.67…up from $35.73 a year ago…+78% seems a good return on Armageddon…
Whacks Eloquent
March 26th, 2010
9:35 am
Soothsayer @ 9:27
I think wind power is viable too…but the stinkin’ NIMBYs keep blocking it! I’d personally be proud to have a wind farm off my shoreline (not that GA has much of one, or one that a wind farm that would be much good on).
I would like to see President Obama push alternative energy further. But Cap & Trade was a joke, we need legislation that focuses on future technologies, not ways to just appease our consciences with carbon trading. And please, somebody get real and expose the scam and waste of exportable food that ethanol is…
md
March 26th, 2010
9:36 am
“Don’t you want your friends, neighbors and family members to be able to have health insurance?”
Always onesided – please remember to include the thugs, crooks, and gangs – especially the gangs. So glad we could do our part to insure them after their daily rumbles – just hope they remember to grab that insurance card when they grab their weapons.
Peadawg
March 26th, 2010
9:36 am
Doggone, I get it. But the fact is that the POTUS LIED to the American people. Many times. Over and over on camera.
USinUK
March 26th, 2010
9:36 am
jewcowboy – 9:35 – MOST stocks are way up from a year ago …
jt
March 26th, 2010
9:36 am
“Money talks, bull-oney walks.”
Obama embraces both.
Bosch
March 26th, 2010
9:36 am
Peadawgn,
“then why did Obama and Skeletor lie to the American people?”
Not sure who Skeletor is – is that the head of the death panels? But do you believe everything a politician says? I don’t. If they had implemented a single payer system, I’d have said, yes, the premiums would go down because I see that as the only way to get costs down, and they tried and failed on the key part.
So, as it stands now, no I don’t think premiums will go down, but there will better availability – again, it’s a start, not my preference, but a start.
jewcowboy
March 26th, 2010
9:36 am
Bosch,
“And if Democrats win – dogs and cats will start living together!!!”
And will be forced to gay marry each other…
FinnMcCool
March 26th, 2010
9:36 am
Thanks US, that adds to my understanding of the situation.
USinUK
March 26th, 2010
9:37 am
md – 9:36 – you’re paying for them one way or another, you know.
Citizen of the World
March 26th, 2010
9:37 am
Even though it’s off topic, Soothsayer’s post does highlight our next important imperative: energy policy reform. We are nearing peak oil and China’s coal consumption at its current pace will soon exhaust that non-renewable resource. We’ve got to start working now toward policies that promote energy conservation and alternative energies. Onward and upward!
Wonder if Republicans are going to want to sweep this problem under the rug as well?
jewcowboy
March 26th, 2010
9:38 am
“Frog in the kettle, Jay ………….. frog in the kettle.”
Frog soup…yuck.
Bosch
March 26th, 2010
9:40 am
jewcowboy,
Worse than gay marriage (I know, I know – IS there ANYTHING worse than gay marriage) – inter-species marriage. EWwwwww.
jewcowboy
March 26th, 2010
9:40 am
USinUK,
“MOST stocks are way up from a year ago …”
Sooo…investors like socialism?
Doggone/GA
March 26th, 2010
9:41 am
“But the fact is that the POTUS LIED to the American people”
SO WHAT?!
TaxPayer
March 26th, 2010
9:41 am
Thought of the day – If you don’t want to get pooped on, don’t be an outhouse.
jewcowboy
March 26th, 2010
9:41 am
Bosch,
Inter-species gay marriage to a glowing Boehner?
getalife
March 26th, 2010
9:42 am
Rahm you magnificent bas tard.
Well played sir and much respect is due.
Normal
March 26th, 2010
9:43 am
I like wind power too, but sometimes I have to lower the mast and push my pick up under a low bridge,
Bosch
March 26th, 2010
9:43 am
jewcowboy,
I think I need another cup o’ coffee.
Citizen of the World
March 26th, 2010
9:44 am
md @ 9:36, did you catch my post at 9:14? Your worry about thugs, crooks and gangs instead of family, friends and neighbors kind of proves my point.
USinUK
March 26th, 2010
9:44 am
jewcowboy – “Sooo…investors like socialism?”
historically speaking, the stock and bond markets always perform well when Dems are in charge
http://money.cnn.com/2004/01/21/markets/election_demsvreps/
Paul
March 26th, 2010
9:44 am
Enter your comments here
History guy
March 26th, 2010
9:44 am
i>Bismarck must be a happy soul, virtually the entire world is socialist to some degree.
Bismark? You must be thinking of some other Prussian.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anti-Socialist_Laws
Peadawg
March 26th, 2010
9:45 am
Bosch, go here:
http://images.cheezburger.com/completestore/2009/10/30/129013781780750239.jpg
The comparison is frightening. Skeletor is a cartoon bad guy from like the 80s or early 90s.
Normal
March 26th, 2010
9:45 am
TaxPayer
March 26th, 2010
9:41 am
and one of lifes lessons…never, EVER, throw a lit cigarette down the outhouse hole!
Chris
March 26th, 2010
9:45 am
Jay,
Will you consider writing about the Student Aid and Fiscal Responsibility Act (SAFRA) that passed yesterday? It’s not getting the press it deserves, and as Joe Biden would say, it’s a big #&*$ing deal.
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/26/us/politics/26loans.html?ref=us
USinUK
March 26th, 2010
9:45 am
““But the fact is that the POTUS LIED to the American people”
ohferchrissakes … until rates have gone up, he has NOT lied to the American people.
get a frickin grip.
getalife
March 26th, 2010
9:46 am
Pelosi, Clinton celebrate Women’s History Month, even as they make history, too:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/03/25/AR2010032504598.html?hpid=topnews
As the cons heads explode.
Scout
March 26th, 2010
9:46 am
Bosch/jewcowboy:
You know what that means. You can’t trick people all at once………. they catch on and won’t put up with it ……… so you just move the lemmings along a little at a time until you get what you want. You just wear them down.
The “Don’t ask, Don’t tell” issue is a perfect example. I could name many others …………
First: No “openly” gay people in the military
Then : “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” (Clinton)
Then: “We’re Having a Study” (Obama)
Then: “We’re softening the policy pending the study” (Gates)
Get the picture?
This new health care thing is just one more degree up for the old frog in that kettle. One day it will be too hot for us to jump out and we will be boiled.
Now, I would like to stay and play but I must go for awhile …………. you’all be nice.
jewcowboy
March 26th, 2010
9:47 am
Here is a new guide to help politicians:
The “Straight” Politicians Guide to Managing Your Gay Crisis
http://current.com/shows/infomania/92341793_thats-gay-politicians.htm
Peadawg
March 26th, 2010
9:47 am
“So, as it stands now, no I don’t think premiums will go down, but there will better availability – again, it’s a start, not my preference, but a start.”
Raising premiums faster and higher than before…I wouldn’t exactly call that a start. But whatever.
Scout
March 26th, 2010
9:47 am
P.S.
I meant to say “boiled in our socialist soup” !
Two Cents
March 26th, 2010
9:48 am
Citizen, we already know the Republicans’ answer to independence from foreign oil, don’t we?
“Drill, baby, drill!”
They offered no answers for health care reform other than “No, I don’t want to!” Why do we think they’ll come up with any other ideas on any other problems in our country that have been left to worsen over the last decade?
I only wish they would take their toys and go home.
md
March 26th, 2010
9:49 am
“md – 9:36 – you’re paying for them one way or another, you know.”
Just guessing here, but I doubt they spend much time at the doctor, but now they get a freebie, so you can guarantee they’ll be certain to abuse it.
We need to let the predators of society take each other out – I’ll gladly contribute for their burial.
Peadawg
March 26th, 2010
9:50 am
“ohferchrissakes … until rates have gone up, he has NOT lied to the American people.
get a frickin grip.”
“Denial is a defense mechanism postulated by Sigmund Freud, in which a person is faced with a fact that is too uncomfortable to accept and rejects it instead, insisting that it is not true despite what may be overwhelming evidence.”
The evidence would basic math. You’ll see. Come back next year and I’ll say, “I told you so”
jewcowboy
March 26th, 2010
9:51 am
Scout,
I do like my frog soup with a little soft boiled socialism, and a gay soldier to share it with.
USinUK
March 26th, 2010
9:51 am
md – “Just guessing here, but I doubt they spend much time at the doctor, but now they get a freebie, so you can guarantee they’ll be certain to abuse it”
do YOU go to the doctor for free on your insurance??
they’ll still be paying for doctor visits – co-pays and annual whatsits …
getalife
March 26th, 2010
9:51 am
He openly mocked the orange guy and his base is energized.
I think he earned a second term with this historic event.
Pace your hate cons.
There are many more years to be outraged.
TaxPayer
March 26th, 2010
9:52 am
Beans
Roller Skates
Strike anywhere
Yee Hawwwwwwwww!
Paul
March 26th, 2010
9:52 am
Bosch
[[Is that like Skip to my loo?]]
Good bladder control? Most people walk quickly to their loo.
{{re: Obama and Skeletor – who is Skeletor?]]
As I read that I immediately thought of Spkr Pelosi.
I just took the ‘whacked-out way to look at things’ crown from you!
USinUK
March 26th, 2010
9:52 am
peadawg – unless you can show that insurance rates have gone up more than the average rate over the last decade, you STILL would not have proven your point
md
March 26th, 2010
9:52 am
“md @ 9:36, did you catch my post at 9:14? Your worry about thugs, crooks and gangs instead of family, friends and neighbors kind of proves my point.”
Don’t think so – I’m just pointing out the facts you so conveniently leave out. But I do understand why you wouldn’t want to mess up your painting – all the flowery crap you got on it – adding a little reality wouldn’t make it as pretty.
Doggone/GA
March 26th, 2010
9:53 am
“Raising premiums faster and higher than before”
Waahhhh! Mommy, Barry LIED TO ME! Waahhh. Make him stop. You sound just like a whiney little child. Grow up, already.
TaxPayer
March 26th, 2010
9:54 am
Frog legs – The other white meat.
Paul
March 26th, 2010
9:55 am
getalife
[[He openly mocked the orange guy]]
Bosch has competition for orange shorts lady?
Peadawg
March 26th, 2010
9:56 am
“unless you can show that insurance rates have gone up more than the average rate over the last decade, you STILL would not have proven your point”
I’m not talking about the last decade you dimwit. I’m talking about once all this health care legislation goes into affect.
Redneck Convert (R--and proud of it)
March 26th, 2010
9:56 am
Good morning everybody. I can’t tell much what this Obamacare will do to the economy. On my end the boss down at the warehouse says orders for beer is way up. See, we serve the northren end where all the strong Republicans live and they’ve sure been putting down the suds in the last week. That might not mean anything. The beer business does good irregardless of what’s happening. People drink to sellabrate and they drink to drown their sorrows. Maybe we need to check the sales of Preparation H to see what people are thinking. The librul Democrats rammed it home again last night in the House, so I expect there’s some soreness in the Conservative crowd.
Anyhow, I guess my share of the insurance premiums will be going up like a rocket as soon as all Those People and the welfare bums start signing up to get the same insurance I’m covered by. And I won’t hardly be able to get in to see a Dr. about my pile-on cyst, what with all Those People crowding the waiting room. It sure ain’t a good time to be a Conservative.
Well, got to get back to my hauling. It’s been a long time since I’ve had to get this much beer into the bars and the stores. Bad for the back, but good for my 401k. I hope somebody remembers to play a tune for me tonight when Bookman puts on the traveling music and goes home to get drunk again like the newspaper fellow he is. Somebody’s got to live next to him, and better you than me. Have a good day everybody.
Peadawg
March 26th, 2010
9:58 am
“Waahhhh! Mommy, Barry LIED TO ME! Waahhh. Make him stop. You sound just like a whiney little child. Grow up, already.”
Expecting the POTUS to tell the truth is whining? I can see why democrats never get blasted for going against their morals…y’all have none to begin with. President lies, who cares. He gets a pass b/c he President.
jewcowboy
March 26th, 2010
9:58 am
USinUK,
“historically speaking, the stock and bond markets always perform well when Dems are in charge”
Good article, thanks! I would tend to think you would have more stable markets when regulation is robust, and more stable returns vs. when regulation is weak, leading to booms and busts in the market, where some may make a killing, but on average most lose.
Of course that would just be my opinion, mr. nonjewcowboy was the finance whiz of our house…I was just along for the ride.
md
March 26th, 2010
9:58 am
Very telling – on page 2 and not a single reply on a 24 trillion dollar deficit. I guess we keep our heads in the sand long enough it will just go away. But we got healthcare.
Alice's Medicine Cabinet
March 26th, 2010
9:58 am
And health insurance was so perfect before the Dems went and messed with it. Rabbit stew anyone. I hear it goes well with frog legs.
JDW
March 26th, 2010
9:59 am
“But the fact is that the POTUS LIED to the American people”
I know, I know but thankfully he is out of office and back on the ranch where he belongs.
Peadawg
March 26th, 2010
10:00 am
Also, if this bill is so awesome, why the hell are all the politicians exempt from it?
Alice's Medicine Cabinet
March 26th, 2010
10:01 am
md,
I’m just not buying into the 24 trillion dollar deficit notion. For yuan thing, there just aren’t enough Chinese workers out there to float that much cash.
Paul
March 26th, 2010
10:01 am
Lord Help Us
Talk about extremist rhetoric and pandering to fear:
House Majority Whip Rep Clyburn: Health Care Opponents Aiding Terrorism
“People out there in the streets get their signals from people in positions like we hold.”
Wow. “those people’ ‘out there’ – the Robot Army gets told what to do by the people in power.
“This kind of terrorism.”
Dems just took the Extremist Rhetoric Crown from the Reps.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YUbFrAyZyoA
Citizen of the World
March 26th, 2010
10:02 am
md @ 9:52, at least my painting has colors on it other than black and white, which is how you seem to see the world.
Alice's Medicine Cabinet
March 26th, 2010
10:03 am
Also, if this bill is so awesome, why the hell are all the politicians exempt from it?
Because all the politicians voted “Hell NO!” Didn’t you get the memo.
jewcowboy
March 26th, 2010
10:03 am
Redneck Convert (R–and proud of it),
“The beer business does good irregardless of what’s happening.”
You might be right…here is a mutual fund for you:
http://moneycentral.msn.com/detail/stock_quote?symbol=vicex
The Vice Fund…1 Year Return – 31.25%
Brad Steel
March 26th, 2010
10:03 am
The same rhetoric was tired when Reagan used it 50 years ago to scare the same bunch of tea-party-type saps that fall for the inflated BS today.
Sam ol’ same ol’. But rarely does the right have any interest in anything new – even when long ago it was shown to be phony reasoning.
Normal
March 26th, 2010
10:03 am
Peadawg
March 26th, 2010
10:00 am
Because they all ready have their own version of socialized medicine…
USinUK
March 26th, 2010
10:03 am
peadawg –
“I’m not talking about the last decade you dimwit. I’m talking about once all this health care legislation goes into affect.”
awwww … him don’t wike being called on his BS, so him resorts to name-calling … all together now … awwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww
whether you like it or not, premiums will rise to reflect inflation and what’s going on in the bond markets … the question will be whether the new premium hikes are over the odds … and for THAT, you need to look at the average over at least the last 10 years (the last 20 would be more appropriate)
it’s called being reality-based.
Doggone/GA
March 26th, 2010
10:04 am
“Expecting the POTUS to tell the truth is whining?”
No, it isn’t. Harping on it after that fact…especially when you don’t even know if it’s true that he lied…IS.
USinUK
March 26th, 2010
10:04 am
peadawg – “Also, if this bill is so awesome, why the hell are all the politicians exempt from it?”
ALL the politicians aren’t exempt from it.
Alice's Medicine Cabinet
March 26th, 2010
10:05 am
Dems just took the Extremist Rhetoric Crown from the Reps
Wait a minute. Let me check. I think I have a pill for that too.
Peadawg
March 26th, 2010
10:05 am
“it’s called being reality-based.”
Something people who support this “reform” bill know nothing about.
Doggone/GA
March 26th, 2010
10:05 am
“Also, if this bill is so awesome, why the hell are all the politicians exempt from it?”
Please quote the section of the bill that does that.
USinUK
March 26th, 2010
10:06 am
peadawg – “Something people who support this “reform” bill know nothing about”
ahem … POT.
jewcowbot
March 26th, 2010
10:07 am
Good morning Paul,
How was your trip? I ducked in last night late, and saw @@’s (slightly stalkerish) post, and your response. Very much appreciated, and the feeling is more than mutual.
Though in all fairness, you tend to be more level-headed and impartial than I tend to be
USinUK
March 26th, 2010
10:13 am
so, the final GDP numbers affirmed what we already knew – that the economy had record growth during Q409 and is poised for gains in employment
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601068&sid=a8CxLvnMYlY4
Paul
March 26th, 2010
10:13 am
Doggone/GA
Off the top of my head, the bill takes Congress and staffers out of the Fed program (same as all civil service uses) and puts them in the state pool. Executive is exempt. White House, Cabinet, staffs. Logic I see is Congress is much more tied to the states, representing them, while Executive is for entire country, so shouldn’t be assigned to a state pool.
jewcowboy
Thanks.
Trip went well, everything normal, no recurrence.
Impartial? It’s calculated. Get to irritate twice the people that way.
Peadawg
March 26th, 2010
10:14 am
Doggone/GA:
http://newledger.com/2010/03/exempted-from-obamacare-senior-staff-who-wrote-the-bill/
Peadawg
March 26th, 2010
10:15 am
“ahem … POT.”
You’re offering? No thanks. I don’t smoke.
Paul
March 26th, 2010
10:15 am
Bosch
You in? I have some momentous news.
Doggone/GA
March 26th, 2010
10:16 am
“Logic I see is Congress is much more tied to the states, representing them, while Executive is for entire country, so shouldn’t be assigned to a state pool.”
Yes, that’s a logic that makes sense. And of course it’s FAR from “all politicians are exempt”
I saw your post up-thread about, basically, “so what” if this is something new. It sounded a bit like my own opinion whenever I hear someone say “healthcare isn’t a right” – well, my answer is: it is now.
USinUK
March 26th, 2010
10:17 am
Paul – it doesn’t take all staffers, just those who serve committees (in other words, John Lewis’s staff would be covered, but the Banks and Banking committee staff would not)
Alice's Medicine Cabinet
March 26th, 2010
10:17 am
If you don’t understand Republican logic, then perhaps you are just not in the proper state of mind. Here. Try this.
USinUK
March 26th, 2010
10:18 am
“You’re offering? No thanks. I don’t smoke”
me, neither … but you seemed to prefer that to being the kettle …
Bosch
March 26th, 2010
10:18 am
Paul,
“Bosch has competition for orange shorts lady?”
Funny how the word “orange” catches my attention so quickly on the old blog now. It’s my new “SQUIRREL!!”
Peadawg
March 26th, 2010
10:20 am
“Yes, that’s a logic that makes sense. And of course it’s FAR from “all politicians are exempt””
I exaggerated. My bad. It’s still pretty pathetic that the ones who wrote it are exempt. If it’s not good enough for them, how’s it good enough for us?
Bosch
March 26th, 2010
10:20 am
Peadawg,
And……let me guess – next year when insurance premiums go up, which we all expect them to do – it will be Obama’s fault, according to our wingnut friends.
Doggone/GA
March 26th, 2010
10:20 am
Peadawg – first, that’s not a quote from the bill. Second, “Senior Staff” is not – as you claimed – ALL POLICITIANS.
“why the hell are all the politicians exempt from it?”
Want to give it another try?
Normal
March 26th, 2010
10:20 am
What’s this all about?
Declare ‘Confedrate Southern American’ on Census forms, group says
ShareThisPrint E-mail By Rhonda Cook
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The Southern Legal Resource Center is calling on self-proclaimed “Confederates” to declare their heritage when they are counted in the 2010 Census.
The organization is urging Southerners to declare their “heritage and culture” by classifying themselves as “Confederate Southern Americans” on the line on the form, question No. 9, that asks for race. Check “other” and write “Confed Southern Am” on the line beside it, the group says on its Facebook page and on two YouTube videos.
“A significant number of Southerners identifying themselves as Confederate Southern Americans on the Census form could finally spell the beginning of the end for the discrimination that has been running rampant, especially for the last 20 years or so, against all things Confederate, and for that matter against Southern heritage and identity in general,” SLRC executive director Roger McCredie said in a written statement.
He said this campaign could result in protections for “Confederate Southern Americans” much like those for other groups.
“In this age of honoring diversity, Southern/Confederate people are the last group in America that can be maligned, ridiculed and defamed with impunity,” said SLRC Board Chairman Neill H. Payne. “Using the Census to unite the Southern/Confederate community can be a significant first step to our obtaining rights and recognition that all American ethnic groups are entitled to.”
In a video posted on YouTube.com, the group’s attorney, Kirk David Lyons, said he frequently hears from people who “complain of being discriminated against, harassed, humiliated, terminated from employment, their children suspended from school simply because they are proud of their Southern heritage.”
Lyons noted that there had been several court cases brought against those who displayed Confederate symbols or demonstrated their regional pride and the SLRC’s nationwide effort could “give people of Southern ancestry a voice and legal protections.”
jewcowbot
March 26th, 2010
10:20 am
Paul,
“Impartial? It’s calculated. Get to irritate twice the people that way.”
How devious…I have even more respect for you now.
Paul
March 26th, 2010
10:21 am
“For a head of government to visit the White House and not pose for photographers is rare. For a key ally to be left to his own devices while the President withdraws to have dinner in private was, until this week, unheard of. Yet that is how Binyamin Netanyahu was treated by President Obama on Tuesday night, according to Israeli reports on a trip viewed in Jerusalem as a humiliation.
“After failing to extract a written promise of concessions on settlements, Mr Obama walked out of his meeting with Mr Netanyahu ”
Yet he lets N Korea and Iran slide?!!? And takes a hard line with an ally?
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/us_and_americas/article7076431.ece
USinUK
March 26th, 2010
10:23 am
Paul – 10:21 – well, it’s not much, but it’s a good start.
Peadawg
March 26th, 2010
10:23 am
Doggone, like I said. My bad. I exaggerated.
That link provides a quote from the bill. Did you even read it?
Bosch
March 26th, 2010
10:23 am
Paul,
Surely that 10:21 isn’t your momentous news.
Gandalf, the White
March 26th, 2010
10:23 am
Jay can you delete Cynny’s blogs too? That would be a blessing!
Doggone/GA
March 26th, 2010
10:24 am
“I exaggerated. My bad”
and some people would call it lieing.
Gandalf, the White
March 26th, 2010
10:24 am
just sayin…
Damn Skippy!
jewcowbot
March 26th, 2010
10:24 am
Bosch,
“It’s my new “SQUIRREL!!”
I was watching “Futurama” last night, and heard one of my favorite lines…
“If I ever see him again, I swear I’ll shove a squirrel in him!.” ~ Mom
Of course my all time favorite quote by Mom:
“I’m off to some charity BS for knocked-up teenage sluts.”
Bosch
March 26th, 2010
10:24 am
jewcowboy,
You might wanna check your name in the “Name (required)” section – unless of course you meant for it to read “jewcowbot.”
Paul
March 26th, 2010
10:25 am
jewcowboy
your new moniker – jewcowbot – is that a second in a row typo, or is it a Transformers/bot symbolic kind of thing?
Bosch
Ah, you’re still here. Good. I must do my good deed for the day. Even on Quip Friday and Music Friday. Something wonderfully momentous to carry you through the weekend and through the foreseeable future with hope and light.
Even without any orange.
http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/music/article7076415.ece
Bosch
March 26th, 2010
10:25 am
Shut up Gandalf.
Gandalf, the White
March 26th, 2010
10:26 am
Hey Doggine, lieing is what conservatives do (mostly to them selves)… with every breath they take Damn Skippy!
Peadawg
March 26th, 2010
10:26 am
“And……let me guess – next year when insurance premiums go up, which we all expect them to do – it will be Obama’s fault, according to our wingnut friends.”
You forgot Pelosi and every other person who voted for it. The insurance won’t have a choice but to raise premiums now that they’re forced to cover everyone. But I’m sure you’ll give him a pass saying, “he tried” and “it’s not perfect but it’s a start”.
Gandalf, the White
March 26th, 2010
10:26 am
Good Morning Bosh!
Being a typical liberal and spewing hatred again?
Paul
March 26th, 2010
10:27 am
USinUK
I’m having a tough time understanding the thought process of the White House staff on how to induce various countries to do what we want. Velvet gloves, extreme care, postponement, for enemies, a club for allies. Seems disjointed.
USinUK
March 26th, 2010
10:27 am
Bosch – ” “Name (required)” section – unless of course you meant for it to read “jewcowbot.””
personally, I’d like to see jewcowbot go up against the bookmania bot and take him down!
Bosch
March 26th, 2010
10:27 am
Hey Paul – maybe jewcowboy is a BSG fan and has changed his name to reflect his liking to Ms. Helfer? I know lots of women who thinks she’s hot – why not jewcowboy? I mean, she’s hot. HOT! I say!
Doggone/GA
March 26th, 2010
10:27 am
“Did you even read it?”
I read enough of it to know you “exagerated” – but then, I already knew that.
Gandalf, the White
March 26th, 2010
10:27 am
It’s a start to our destruction IMO…
Fred
March 26th, 2010
10:27 am
You don’t dabble in the stock market much do you. Do you know anything about the stock market. Ever made a trade or looked at a 10K? No, just mutual funds that mirror the market at large, probably.
And then equating a market close with the fiscal future of this country. Isolating health care from all the other boondoggles and empire building. Man, it’s just bewildering the political boot licking you editorialists engage in.
It’s another log on the fire! It’s an additive fiasco.
Damm. Y’all need to start familiarizing yourself with Austrian economics and individual liberty. This country’s relative demise coinciding with the growth and intervention of government has become a serious matter and a threat to individual lives and liberties. That’s where the buck stops. This is aint no joke.
Bosch
March 26th, 2010
10:27 am
Good morning Gandalf! Shut up.
Peadawg
March 26th, 2010
10:28 am
“and some people would call it lieing.”
Do you mean lying? I don’t know what “lieing” is. All politicians vs. some politicians = exaggeration.
Gandalf, the White
March 26th, 2010
10:28 am
EXPAT: We got Iraq to do what we want…
just sayin….
I Report (-: You Whine )-: Impeach Drunken Fool obozo! Just sayin....
March 26th, 2010
10:28 am
I see WellPoint is up $.09 today to $63.67…up from $35.73 a year ago…+78% seems a good return on Armageddon…
jboy- 25 million people are going to be forced to buy the insurance companies product, set at the insurance companies price.
Do you understand economics at all?
Gandalf, the White
March 26th, 2010
10:29 am
Bosch, much nicer!
Thanks for being congenial!
USinUK
March 26th, 2010
10:29 am
Paul –
one of the problems the US has always had is being seen as being soft on Israel – it makes us look like less of an honest broker when dealing with the ME. by making a stand that Israel is going against their promises, we at least look like we’re not turning a blind eye on them YET AGAIN.
Gandalf, the White
March 26th, 2010
10:30 am
“Wait for all the hub bub to calm down, then we will tell you what the bill means”
Nancy Pelosi
Alice's Medicine Cabinet
March 26th, 2010
10:30 am
I like her style.
Paul
March 26th, 2010
10:31 am
jewcowboy
[[“I’m off to some charity BS for knocked-up teenage sluts.”]]
I once observed to a group of ‘no sex ed in schools ’cause our kids are good kids and don’t need to worry about it” that the only difference between the pregnant girl and the not pregnant girl is conception took hold in one and not the other.
The expressions following realization of the implications were great.
Bosch
March 26th, 2010
10:31 am
Paul! Wow! How exciting. I gots to get me one of those outfits. ABBA is (sniff, sniff) so kind – they are doing it for the children! The children!
Bosch
March 26th, 2010
10:31 am
Gandalf,
My pleasure – glad to see you and Skippy are back. Tell Skippy to shut up too.
Doggone/GA
March 26th, 2010
10:32 am
“Do you mean lying? I don’t know what “lieing” is”
When you have no substantive answer, you can always criticize your opponent’s spelling and grammar.
jewcowbot
March 26th, 2010
10:32 am
Bosch / Paul,
Someone mis-typed it the other day, and I thought it had a nice futuristic sound…shake things up for Friday
Gandalf, the White
March 26th, 2010
10:33 am
That is a cheap shot Doggone, I didn’t go there…but some people are so nice!
Alice's Medicine Cabinet
March 26th, 2010
10:33 am
This is aint no joke.
No more pills for you. I think you’ve peaked.
I Report (-: You Whine )-: Impeach Drunken Fool obozo! Just sayin....
March 26th, 2010
10:33 am
Aahhh, yes, the bomb sniffers have figured a way to grope and squeeze-
Terrorists Could Use Explosives in Breast Implants to Crash Planes, Experts Warn
Just sayin…
Gandalf, the White
March 26th, 2010
10:34 am
When does the rationing start? Where will Canadians go to get thier surgeries? These are the thing that trouble me…
Bosch
March 26th, 2010
10:34 am
jewcowbot,
I like it! I’m with USinUK – I think you can take the Bookmanbot.
Peadawg
March 26th, 2010
10:34 am
“When you have no substantive answer, you can always criticize your opponent’s spelling and grammar.”
Cute. You only quoted the part that helps you. When you have no substantive answer, you can always use just the part that makes you look smart.
I Report (-: You Whine )-: Impeach Drunken Fool obozo! Just sayin....
March 26th, 2010
10:35 am
Personal income in 42 states fell in 2009, the Commerce Department said Thursday.
The “change” we’ve been “waiting” for, just sayin….
Gandalf, the White
March 26th, 2010
10:35 am
Peadawg…are you saying he’s smart?
jewcowbot
March 26th, 2010
10:35 am
I Report (-: You Whine )-: Impeach Drunken Fool obozo! Just sayin….,
“Do you understand economics at all?”
Yeah…do Republicans?
Bosch
March 26th, 2010
10:36 am
Gandalf,
The rationings start next week. I’m working all weekend to train the new gulag guards — I’ll make sure you and Skippy get an extra biscuit thrown in your cell.
Paul
March 26th, 2010
10:36 am
jewcowboybot
Bosch’s 10:27: young Mr. Bosch speaks truth and wisdom far beyond his years.
USinUK 10:29
Fair point. Some would say, though, if the US is trying to be the honest broker, what equal pressure has it put on the Palestinians or Arab states? Or is it admission the US has no leverage or influence over them? Then there’s the problem – I’ve seen just a couple references, haven’t checked it out – that the US erred, that the agreements cited did not cover east Jerusalem. If true, we’ve used a nonexistent agreement to get indignant over. Doesn’t do much for credibility.
Gandalf, the White
March 26th, 2010
10:37 am
Is Barry worse than Jimmy “the Peanut Farmer”? Jimmy cracks corn, and I don’t care…Barry smokes in the White House. Who was the last President to smoke in the White House?
There You Go
March 26th, 2010
10:37 am
In 1952 President Truman established one day a year as a “National Day of Prayer.”
In 1988, President Reagan designated the first Thursday in May of each year as the National Day of Prayer.
In June 2007,(then) Presidential Candidate Barack Obama declared that the USA was no longer a Christian nation.
This year President Obama, canceled the 21st annual National Day of Prayer ceremony at the White House under the rouse of “not wanting to offend anyone”
On September 25, 2009 from 4 am until 7 pm, a National Day of Prayer for the Muslim religion was held on Capitol Hill, beside the White House. There were over 50,000 Muslims that day in DC.
I guess it Doesn’t matter if “Christians” Are offended by this event – We obviously don’t count as “anyone” anymore.
The direction this country is headed should strike fear in the heart of every Christian.
Especially knowing that the Muslim religion believes that if Christians cannot be converted they should be Annihilated
This is not a rumor – Go to the website to confirm this info: http://www.islamoncapitolhill.com/
Keep up the good fight!
March 26th, 2010
10:37 am
oh great, now the “confederates” are weighing in on census stupidity reactions. They got such great results from Perdue. Next they will want to be protected as an “endangered feces”.
Alice's Medicine Cabinet
March 26th, 2010
10:38 am
Terrorists Could Use Explosives in Breast Implants to Crash Planes, Experts Warn
Actually, the butt cheek implants have been found to be much more effective.
Gandalf, the White
March 26th, 2010
10:38 am
Bosch is that why Barry is keep GITMO open? Will there be concentration camps here as well? I’d like to moved to Florida, at least they have good football down there!
Gandalf, the White
March 26th, 2010
10:40 am
There you go.. Barry likes that call to prayer…he heard it when he went to the Mosque when he was younger… (Once a muslim….)
Peadawg
March 26th, 2010
10:40 am
“Peadawg…are you saying he’s smart?”
No. He says things to make himself seem smart. It’s all smoke and mirrors.
Alice's Medicine Cabinet
March 26th, 2010
10:41 am
Personal income in 42 states fell in 2009, the Commerce Department said Thursday.
The “change” we’ve been “waiting” for, just sayin….
Perhaps the states should work on that and quit whining for the Fed to bail them out… again. Better yet, perhaps capitalism should kick in and handle that problem.
jewcowbot
March 26th, 2010
10:41 am
Bosch,
“I know lots of women who thinks she’s hot – why not jewcowboy?”
I don’t watch it, but Mary McDonnell has my vote for hot…and urbane.
USinUK
March 26th, 2010
10:41 am
whiner – “Do you understand economics at all?”
um. more than you do, evidently. the price increase was over the YEAR – as I said earlier, most stocks have improved on the year, not just health insurance. that particular datapoint doesn’t say anything.
Bosch
March 26th, 2010
10:41 am
Gandalf,
“Bosch is that why Barry is keep GITMO open? Will there be concentration camps here as well?”
I can’t really comment on that because the guys in the black helicopters will come and get me, then you and Skippy will be sharing a cell with me, and I can’t guarantee you and your kangaroo friend extra biscuits. (Skippy is your kangaroo friend, right?)
Soothsayer
March 26th, 2010
10:42 am
China: Closing for Business?
Nearly a decade after China’s entry into the World Trade Organization, many foreign companies say the warm reception they once received has turned frosty. While China can still be highly profitable, some question how long that will last as Beijing changes the rules to give a lift to its domestic companies, especially state-owned enterprises. A new government procurement program known as “indigenous innovation” features rules favoring local firms: It could block sales worth billions of dollars a year, says Joerg Wuttke, director of the European Union Chamber of Commerce in China. Beijing has written strict standards for everything from cell phones to cars, often couching them in a way that gives an advantage to domestic producers. A recently revised patent law could force foreign companies to hand over key technologies to Chinese bureaucrats. And anti-monopoly regulations have been used to limit foreign access to sectors such as construction machinery and energy. “They have moved away from a level playing field to benefit their own companies,” says Wuttke. Multinationals “are seeing the golden China opportunity become a mirage,” says the China government relations chief of a major tech supplier, who would not be named for fear of reprisals.
Gandalf, the White
March 26th, 2010
10:42 am
Peadawg…like what Barry and Joe Biden do? I think I understand now!
Alice's Medicine Cabinet
March 26th, 2010
10:42 am
“endangered feces”.
Just don’t go messin’ with the cow paddies. We need them.
Peadawg
March 26th, 2010
10:42 am
“Perhaps the states should work on that and quit whining for the Fed to bail them out”
Well hell, they’re bailing everybody else out!
FinnMcCool
March 26th, 2010
10:42 am
projections of costs, market effects, etc by the tea bag types is a notch lower than astrology and several notches lower than weather forecasting.
They’ve proven this time and time again over the last year. Remember Tucker Carlson’s face on election night 2006? Remember what he said? “An ocean of change” or something like that in total disbelief.
Gandalf, the White
March 26th, 2010
10:42 am
Skippy ISN’T A KANGAROO! He’s a Wallaby!
Paul
March 26th, 2010
10:42 am
Bosch
“Urbane” means she lives in a city…..
Gandalf, the White
March 26th, 2010
10:43 am
No lives in a city is Urabana..
Peadawg
March 26th, 2010
10:43 am
Peadawg…like what Barry and Joe Biden do? I think I understand now!
I don’t know who Barry is. But Joe Biden can use all the smoke and mirrors he wants. He’s right up w/ Cheney in terms up the worst VP.
Bosch
March 26th, 2010
10:44 am
Peadawg,
“He says things to make himself seem smart.”
Oh my God.
Or could it be — I don’t know — that maybe he IS smart? Dumb people can’t say things to make themselves seem smart.
FinnMcCool
March 26th, 2010
10:44 am
Who was the last President to smoke in the White House?
Clinton…. with a cigar. Isn’t that what he was doing with that cigar?
Gandalf, the White
March 26th, 2010
10:45 am
Chicago Politics baby! Barry! He’s …well you know the rest.
Damn Skippy!
Gandalf, the White
March 26th, 2010
10:46 am
Barry you know Bosch, Barry Obama from HI. He always had the best grass on North Shore in High School!
Gandalf, the White
March 26th, 2010
10:46 am
Finn, emmmmm, I think you missed something there……but I meant cigarettes…
Keep up the good fight!
March 26th, 2010
10:48 am
Yes Patriots…rally around and fight against the Constitution which calls for separation of church and state. Remember its all about Christianity vs. Islam or some other religion which is not “ours”. Its all about a public ceremony and not about what Christianity teaches. Its not as if the President does not have the right to address his religion in private. I am a Christain…and I am not at all offended. I am more offended every day by Christians who claim that name and who fail to live up to what social justice! (that ought to bring out the Beckheads).
Especially since those who use a brain know that not all Muslims believe what a few extremist claim and not all Christains believe what some nut jobs who claim to be Christian claim.
Bosch
March 26th, 2010
10:48 am
jewcowboy,
Have ya’ ever seen Tricia Helfer? I mean Mary Mcwhatshername is pretty and all, and she’s a great President, but:
http://www.desktopexchange.com/gallery/albums/Tricia_Helfer_Wallpaper/Tricia_Helfer_4.jpg
Damn Skippy!
Paul, I totally forgot Mary McWhat’shername’s name.
USinUK
March 26th, 2010
10:49 am
there you go … (and there logic went) …
first of all, the muslim day of prayer was neither organized nor sponsored by the white house
secondly, the white house issued a proclaimation recognizing the day, but decided not to POLITICIZE it the way W did
funnily enough, one would think THAT is the more godly action to take …
Bosch
March 26th, 2010
10:49 am
Gandalf,
Kangaroo – wallaby – whatever, they all look alike.
Keep up the good fight!
March 26th, 2010
10:49 am
Peadawg….I am glad you acknowledge that Cheney was the worst VP…… We can agree on that!
jewcowbot
March 26th, 2010
10:51 am
“guess it Doesn’t matter if “Christians” Are offended by this event – We obviously don’t count as “anyone” anymore.”
Americans are offended by other Americans practicing their freedom of religion?
Gandalf, the White
March 26th, 2010
10:51 am
New Post up top
Paul
March 26th, 2010
10:53 am
Bosch
“Paul, I totally forgot Mary McWhat’shername’s name.”
That’s ’cause she went off to live in the city.
I just opened the link…. y’know, Cylons getting resurrection doesn’t seem fair ’cause we’re the ones having the heart attacks -
Paul
March 26th, 2010
10:54 am
Gandalf the White
You’ve been gone, right? (Welcome back).
You’re ’sposed to say “SQUIRREL!!!”
The Thin Guy
March 26th, 2010
10:54 am
If Marxist Medicine is good for us, why isn’t it good enough for Øbungle and his goon squad?
http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=36193
Time for Jay Bookman to get back to work on how you can buy a genuine Rolex watch for $ 15 from the libs and know when it’s time to get up and start working for the government. This country has no future.
stands for decibels
March 26th, 2010
10:55 am
Back for a bit:
Yet he lets N Korea and Iran slide?!!? And takes a hard line with an ally?
Paul, stop hyperventilating–it’s tit for tat. You show up our Veep, we show up your PM.
Binjy-bob’s a big boy–I’m sure he found a place to eat that night.
Doggone/GA
March 26th, 2010
10:57 am
“Isn’t that what he was doing with that cigar?”
Eventually
jefferson
March 26th, 2010
11:02 am
We have determined if a person is F’d in the head, there is nothing you can do.
Two Cents
March 26th, 2010
11:08 am
It’s funny to me how conservatives rush to yell that President Obama is a liar, but listened to eight years of the Bush administrations lies — which led us to war — without any complaints. Conservatives even accused the rest of us of not being patriotic for questioning Bush’s motives.
Funny how everything’s different when you’re the one who’s questioning authority — suddenly it’s OK.
What’s next? Republicans are going to say they were for health reform before they were against it? Oh wait, they were, back when essentially this same legislation was their counter to the Clinton administration’s health care reform.
Morrus
March 26th, 2010
11:10 am
Vote out the incumbents and start over
md
March 26th, 2010
11:12 am
“I’m just not buying into the 24 trillion dollar deficit notion. For yuan thing, there just aren’t enough Chinese workers out there to float that much cash.”
You’re not? So now what the CBO has to say is irrelevant??
And if there are not enough Chinese workers out there to float that much cash, you must be affirming that we are definetly in deep doo doo.
MiltonMan
March 26th, 2010
11:21 am
Jay, stick to being a lame journalist. You definitely have no clue when it comes to the financial side of things. Most financial experts have already stated that the stock market was up yesterday because of the EU deal to pay off Greece’s debt.
Why don’t you talk about how the price of gasline has rising since Obama has taken office?
Two Cents
March 26th, 2010
11:25 am
MiltonMan
I can’t believe you’re actually going to bring up the price of gasoline?? Really?? After the price skyrocketed to more than $4 a gallon during Bush’s administration?
And how does a president exactly have control over gasoline prices? How does that work?
Dr. Michael Palmieri
March 26th, 2010
11:44 am
It never ceases to amaze me that people that you would imagine are somewhat educated, as I am sure Jay is can be so blinded by his liberalism. ANYONE that thinks this so called “health care bill” is good for the American people, and good for the economy is simply wrong. Large companies such as Caterpillar, Verizon etc. have already stated the 40 0/0 tax on their health insurance plans given to their employees will cost them so many millions, they will have no choice but to lay off workers. So Jay, like most liberals, you never look beyond the surface of anything…so keep praising this disaster of a president.
Pogo
March 26th, 2010
11:45 am
This is one of the more pathetic attempts that Jay has made to prove that the capitalist markets love Obama’s socialist agenda. They do not love it. They are just using short-term investments to make money while they can. Anyone that knows anything about the market knows that Obama’s/Pelosi’s deficit numbers are eventually going to take down not only the markets but pretty much our whole economic system. The government cannot continue to be the biggest monetary prop for our economy. Yes, Wall Street will make money when it can. What is sad is that Jay finds solace in a small jump in the numbers knowing there is going to be hell to pay soon. Sad
Scout
March 26th, 2010
12:01 pm
jewcowboy @ 9:51 am :
I know !
By the way, did you see last week where the U.S. Army is discontinuing bayonet training? “Eeeegads” are we getting soft !
No before all you “warriors” out there say it’s outmoded, the last full bayonet charge was by a British unit (after they had run out of ammo) in Basra in 2004. Individually, it has probably been used much since then ……… you just don’t read about it.
BugintheirEar
March 26th, 2010
12:01 pm
I like most Americans do believe that reform is needed, but reforms not take over. But why if our government did the right thing we could afford healthcare for all. Our congress and senate for too long get together to do one thing, spend our money. We need a change in their thinking on both sides of the isle. They need to get together to figure out how to cut spending and stop funding programs that don’t work. If we did this, paid back our debt and not allow for deficit spending then out dollar would be strong and out economy would follow.
BMan35
March 26th, 2010
12:02 pm
Jay,
The main reason the market went up WAS because the bill was passed. But you’re either forgetting, didn’t know, or don’t acknowledge that the one thing the market does not like is uncertainty. The market would have gone up either way regardless if it passed or failed.
ken
March 26th, 2010
12:12 pm
the word capitalism should be replaced with FASCISM
SPC
March 26th, 2010
12:25 pm
Take a look at the 5 year treasury auction earlier this week and the explanation for the weak results and higher yeilds. Your argument is foolish, the real test will be the state of the economy over the next 5 years and beyond.
This is a case where I hope I’m wrong, but I don’t think so. The health care bill is socially responsible, but it’s a fiscal disaster, and it didn’t have to be. This is the problem with our government, they can’t make the hard choices necessary to protect the economy. They make the easy ones and kick the can down the road. Someday the bill will come due. Ask the folks in Greece how they like it.
Keep up the good fight!
March 26th, 2010
12:30 pm
Hey all you “its unconstutional” posters who claim “its never been done before”, try this one:
This claim is false. As Center for American Progress Policy Analyst Ian Millhiser noted, “President George Washington signed the Second Militia Act of 1792, which required a significant percentage of the U.S. civilian population to purchase — at their own expense — ‘a good musket or firelock, a sufficient bayonet and belt, two spare flints, and a knapsack’” in case the President ever called them to serve.
Damn that socialist Washington (George that is)!
Tom
March 26th, 2010
12:40 pm
The proposed health care reform of 2010 is not necessary and may well be very harmful.There is a large set of options to use effectively short of gutting the system. Copying the European health care system is a terrible idea: Get the facts about the Obama’s Health Care Reform, and the Healthcare System.
TnGelding
March 26th, 2010
2:07 pm
They recognize it for what it is, a bonanza for the insurance companies.
“Recall Dennis Kucinich’s response to H.R. 3962 the Affordable Health Care for America Act in November. “H.R. 3962 would put the government in the role of accelerating the privatization of health care. In H.R. 3962, the government is requiring at least 21 million Americans to buy private health insurance from the very industry that causes costs to be so high, which will result in at least $70 billion in new annual revenue, much of which is coming from taxpayers. This inevitably will lead to even more costs, more subsidies, and higher profits for insurance companies — a bailout under a blue cross.”
http://www.infowars.com/health-insurance-company-stock-prices-say-it-all/
Wicked Alice
March 26th, 2010
8:53 pm
Hey, I know this is probably going to bore all of you, but back in 1965 when Medicare came into law, I worked for John Hancock Ins.in group claims. Hancock got the contract in Ga to run Medicare. Prior to that an emergency room visit might total $30.00. Yes, this was in 1965 dollars, but then something “really strange started happening”, not just to seniors either. There was a steady increase in the cost of all medical expense. Of course double digit inflation took over as well, but still the increase in hospital costs began to not have any correlation to it’s previous level.
Yes, many other things came into play, but the fact remains that Medicare caused a surge in
the price of just an ordinary situation like suturing at an emergency room. Yes, John Hancock got the contract, but who was in charge? The feds have this amazing ability to increase everything except the amount of money we as citizens have after taxes are paid.
Can’t keep up with the sarcasm and cynicism going on here. Pretty sad that this is all Bookman has to come home to. My husband was a reporter back in the days when they were not handed an agenda. I will not be visiting this sad diatribe again, but good luck to you all and may your children prosper.
N.J.
March 28th, 2010
2:32 am
What I resent the most is the bogus co-opting of the Boston Tea Party by the right wingnuts like Sarah Palin. The Boston Tea Party was NOT a revolt against big government, but was in fact a revolt against BIG BUSINESS and the sort of benefits that Republicans suggest that big businesses should get from government, The TRUE history of the Boston Tea Party was that the Founders damned wanted a LOT of regulation of trade, particularly trade that benefited the huge private businesses that were getting “charters” out of the British Government which they pretty much owned because they paid for the political campaigns of most of the members of Parliament.
Corporations first came about in the middle of the 1600s in England where the crown vested governmental authority to certain commerce groups. The royal charters granted regulated the trading company or corporations since only the Crown had the right to govern trade. The right of the Crown to regulate or control the corporation largely went unused leading to much abuse and monopolistic power. Some such royal charters had their own governors and armies like the East India Company.
In fact it was the East India Company that led to the Boston Tea Party. At the time the colonies were boycotting tea which was owned almost solely by the East India Company. In an effort to prop up sagging profits from the boycott taxes on tea were cut. This in turn cut into the profit of a group of Americans smuggling tea into the colonies. Seeing their profits eroded by the tax cut they then raided the English ships in the harbor. While the classical story of the Boston Tea Party of a protest over rising taxes and tax without representation makes for good patriotic propaganda it is indeed patently false and has taken on mythical proportions.
This was but one of the many abuses the colonies suffered at the hands of English corporations. There were many other abuses. Often American colonial settlements were patents granted to English corporations by the Crown. South and North Virginia were two such patents. These corporations obtained their labor supply with indentured slaves. Typically after seven years of labor the indentured slave would be given a hundred acres. As many as two thirds of the colonists are estimated to have been indentured slaves. Virginia, Maryland and Pennsylvania all began as commercial enterprises ran by chartered corporations.
A full listing of such abuses is beyond the scope of this book. But the example provided is sufficient to illustrate the contempt many of the founders had for corporations as well as the need to regulate them. Perhaps the eloquent words of Thomas Jefferson best sums up the founder’s outlook toward corporations. . “I hope we shall take warning from the example of England and crush in its birth the aristocracy of our moneyed corporations which dare already to challenge our Government to trial, and bid defiance to the laws of our country ”
The concept of granting a charter as a privilege and not a right carried over into early American corporate law. Thus the present view that corporations hold a property right is based on another myth. This point will be expanded further a little later in a look at court case and the Dartmouth case. In fact the view of this property right did not come about until after the Civil War. Prior to this time the concept of a corporate charter as a privilege was the commonly held view. The present view of a corporate charter having property rights only came about through judicial activism and through various state legislators.
If anything, the guys who pulled off the Boston Tea Party would have backed Obama’s health reform to the hilt had the conditions that exist today with regard to the huge health insurance companies existed back then. The founders would have passed laws to regulate those companies to the max if the founders lived today.
Even when the Constitution replaced the Articles of Confederation and the Commerce Clause gave the government power over trade, the states for the most part followed the lead of the federal government. Individuals and groups of individuals could NOT simply go out and form a corporation for business purposes. Every corporation in ALL of the states could ONLY be formed by an act of the state legislature under special acts that very tightly restricted the corporations. The regulation and granting of corporate charters was left to the various states. The states continued to treat a corporate charter as a privilege granted only under special acts of their legislators. But the process of hearings and petitioning the state legislators was plagues with delays, favoritism, and out right corruption. In perhaps the first blow to increasing corporate power came in 1795 as the pace of incorporations continued to expand was in a movement to grant general charters to alleviate the problems with hearings and petitions. North Carolina was the first state in 1795 to enact a general incorporation law, followed by Massachusetts in 1799, New York in 1811 and Connecticut in 1837. However in some states it required more than a simple majority for the granting, renewing or altering a corporation charter. In 1840s, citizens in New York, Delaware, Michigan and Florida required a two-thirds vote of their state legislatures to do so. In Wisconsin and four other states every bank charter had to be first approved by the voters within the state after the charter was recommended by their legislatures.
To put it simply, even at this stage of the game a corporation could ONLY be formed for a single business venture, they could NOT do business across state lines, and they had a limited period of time that they could exist. After that the corporation was legally dissolved, not by the owners, but by the law.
The founders hated corporations and they were wrigint laws restricting them before the ink on the constitution was dry